"My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness."
James 1:19-20
Man's anger is a many colored thing. There was a discussion last night about the anger that has arisen due to a certain legal verdict of late, and there is plenty of anger to go around. Please understand this, though: I will not discuss that case or how/if it affects me.
But the anger we spoke of was real, nonetheless. Those that felt it on one side were believing themselves righteous to do so, just as those on the oppostie side. It is no surprise that we all fall on one side or the other from time to time. But it is how we handle our landing on whichever side that determines whether or not the fruit shows in this regard.
Man is a wretched thing, to be sure. We all are unclean and awful and horrid and only God is able to help us, through Christ's Atonement. We are also very fond of opinions... especially our own. But do we scream about our anger, or do we act through eyes of gentleness and enable our faith to think for us? Do we line up behind causes and raise banners high only when people are watching, or do we have this anger all the time about all things that are contrary to the Bible? We certainly should react the same way for all things, no matter what. However, our eyes should be guarded in gentleness, and we should approach the Throne, rather than the offender.
Take time today, right now, in this moment, to reflect upon your own level of gentleness to others in the world. Regardless of whether you see them face-to-face, regardless of whether these events impact you directly, regardless of how you may personally feel... we are charged to pray. That is all. And so I ask you to do just that, with a gentle heart: PRAY! The time you spend in prayer and petition with gentleness as your companion will show you to be a believer, and you will honor the Lord in this!
God bless you all!!!
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